Lampong pepper gets its name from Lampong Province in Southern Sumatra, Indonesia. The Lampong part of the pepper’s name and in the name of the Sumatran province is sometimes spelled Lampung. Lampong pepper’s botanical name is Piper nigrum — AKA black pepper — and it is called lada in Indonesia, so Lampong pepper is referred to as Lada Lampong. Along with its coffee, Lampong pepper is one of Sumatra’s famous exports.
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Lampong pepper originally came from India and was brought to Indonesia by Indian traders, according to legend. The legend states that it may have arrived in Indonesia from India as far back as 100 BCE. Today, most of the pepper from Lampong is exported to the US. Lampong pepper is also the most common black pepper in the UK.
Lampong pepper flavor profile
Lampong pepper is known for being one of the hotter black peppers and is spicier than Sarawak and Malabar black peppers. Lampong pepper gets its heat from a compound called piperine in the black outer layer of the peppercorn. Along with the heat, Lampong pepper is popular for its clean peppery flavors — it has a strong piney, resinous note along with hints of citrus. All of the flavors are also pronounced in the pepper’s strong fragrance.
Health benefits
Like other kinds of black pepper, Lampong pepper is a good source of several health-enhancing nutrients. You can get the following from Lampong pepper:
- Minerals: You can get a significant amount of iron, calcium, and potassium from Lampong pepper.
- Antioxidants: Black peppers like Lampong pepper are renowned because of their antioxidant content, which can provide a range of major health benefits.
- Vitamins: Lampong pepper is a good source of vitamin K and can provide trace amounts of other vitamins including B5.
- Piperine: Along with being the source of Lampong pepper’s heat, piperine is also highly beneficial for health.
Because of the nutrients above, fresh Lampong pepper in your diet may help with the prevention or treatment of health conditions like:
- Alzheimer’s disease: Research has shown that the piperine in Lampong pepper helps prevent the formation of the amyloid plaques that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Type 2 diabetes: Lampong pepper can enhance your body’s ability to metabolize blood sugar, which may help with the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
- Inflammation: Along with relieving inflammation, Lampong pepper can help your body to absorb curcumin. Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory compound found in turmeric and is the main reason that turmeric is considered healthy.
- Heart disease: Animal studies have found that Lamong pepper and other types of Piper nigrum can lower blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Cancer: Lampong pepper can help to fight against different kinds of cancer including breast, colon and prostate cancers.
- Poor gut health: Lampong pepper can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Common uses
Lampong pepper is an excellent all-purpose seasoning that will complement foods from almost every food culture on Earth. It’s an excellent table condiment that you can use to enhance cooked dishes, especially ones from Europe and North America. Use whole Lampong peppercorns in your stocks, soups, and stews.
Cracked Lampong peppercorns are perfect for the crust on a salmon or mild white fish. Lampong pepper is also great with cheeses, and even desserts like fruit salads, as well as ones that include chocolate.